TORONTO -- As the Friday deadline to sign 2014 picks passed, the Blue Jays had inked 28 of their 41 selections from the First-Year Player Draft.

After their top picks did not sign in two of the previous three years (Phil Bickford in 2013 and Tyler Beede in 2011), the Blue Jays managed to lock up their 2014 first-rounders Jeff Hoffman and Max Pentecost with full-slot value signings earlier this month.

Hoffman, a 21-year-old right-hander, was taken ninth overall after going 3-3 with a 2.94 ERA with East Carolina this season. His assigned slot value was $3,080,800. Hoffman is currently undergoing rehab for Tommy John surgery.

Pentecost, also 21, led Kennesaw State to the NCAA Super Regionals. He topped the country in hits (113) and was No. 2 in batting average (.422). His standout season earned him the Johnny Bench Award as the top catcher in college baseball. As the 11th overall pick, his assigned slot value was $2, 888, 300. Pentecost is currently playing with the Blue Jays' Class A affiliate in Vancouver. He made his debut on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

The highest pick the Blue Jays were not able to sign was Cal Poly outfielder Zack Zehner (seventh round), who told the club that he would return to college as a fifth-year senior.

Jamie Ross is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Chris Toman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.